人體的疾病來自於生理疾病與心理疾病。所謂〝病由心生〞即〝病由魔生〞，佔百分之七十六的疾病，都因負面情緒的心理因素所引起的。
Human diseases stem from both physical and psychological origins. The saying “illness arises from the mind” — or “illness arises from inner demons” — reflects the idea that 76% of illnesses are caused by psychological factors related to negative emotions.
在 20 世紀初期，就有專家提出〝精神軀體〞(Psychosomatic) 的理論，因精神因素而影響軀體，進而導致身心疾病。美國著名精神醫學專家亞歷山大 ( Franz Alexander) 提出他的研究報告。 他認為心理上的挫折，緊張或是壓力，會影響個體的生理狀況。而體質上脆弱的器官將產生功能上的障礙，甚至發生器質行的變化，呈現出特定的軀體疾病。
As early as the beginning of the 20th century, experts proposed the theory of psychosomatic illness — the concept that mental factors can affect the body, leading to both physical and mental disorders. Renowned American psychiatrist Franz Alexander presented research showing that psychological setbacks, tension, or stress can impact a person’s physical condition. The organs that are physically weaker in an individual are more likely to develop functional disorders and even undergo organic changes, resulting in specific physical illnesses.
體化症(Somatization Disorder) 是指與情緒有關而呈現在身體症狀的疾病，換句話說，就是在身體上檢查不出有什麼症狀，可是受到了不良情緒的影響，而呈現出〝身體不適〞的現象。此症狀以女性佔多數，自認為自己有病。臨床上所表現的身體症狀，大多以自律神經系統所支配的器官為主。雖然身體反應與情緒有關，但患者大多數都只敘述其身體症狀，很少人會意識到自己心理與情緒問題。例如：上班怕遲到，因心理緊張而導致胃痙攣，通常只想到胃痛難受，而未察覺到自己心情的緊張。這種胃病就屬於體化症的胃痛.
Somatization Disorder refers to illnesses in which emotional issues manifest as physical symptoms. In other words, although no physical cause can be found, the person experiences discomfort due to negative emotional influences. This condition occurs more frequently in women, who may genuinely believe they are ill. The symptoms typically involve organs controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Although the physical reactions are closely related to emotional states, most patients only describe their physical symptoms and are often unaware of any underlying psychological or emotional issues.
For example, a person who is anxious about being late to work may experience stomach spasms due to mental stress. However, they usually only recognize the stomach pain and discomfort, without realizing the emotional tension behind it. This kind of stomach issue is considered a form of somatization-related stomach pain.
從精神生理的立場來說，所謂情緒反應乃是生理與心理反應的綜合狀態。事實上，控制情緒反應與管制內臟系統的神經中樞幾乎相同與類似。所以，我們經常稱心情不好為〝肝〞火旺，〝脾〞氣大；怯懦害怕為〝膽〞子小。又如文學上常用的〝咬牙切齒〞來形容憤怒；〝怒髮衝冠〞來表示生氣；〝五臟俱焚〞來表示焦慮；〝心驚膽跳〞來形容害怕；〝瞠目結舌〞，〝身體木然〞來表示驚恐，這些現象都是情緒所導致的身體反應。
From the perspective of psychophysiology, emotional responses are in fact a combination of both physiological and psychological reactions. In reality, the neural centers that regulate emotional responses are nearly identical or closely related to those that control the internal organ systems. That is why we often associate certain emotions with specific organs—for example, irritability or anger with the “liver,” a short temper with the “spleen,” or cowardice with a “weak gallbladder.”
Literary expressions also reflect this connection:
• “Gritting one’s teeth” to express anger
• “Hair standing on end” to describe rage
• “All five organs burning” to represent anxiety
• “Heart pounding and gall trembling” for fear
• “Eyes wide open, tongue-tied” or “frozen body” to describe panic
These are all physical reactions triggered by emotional states.
體化症可說是較原始的情緒反應。因為每個人對情緒反應方式與習性有所不同，也會導致特殊的身體症狀，例如：有人看到髒亂的垃圾就會感到〝噁心〞， 孩子要參加聯考，就會〝擔心〞，發現男友變心，會〝傷心〞的痛不欲生，考試落榜會〝鬱悶〞的說不出話來等等。無論任何事，不分好壞，當長期累積不利情緒時，體內就會產生破壞健康的內分泌荷爾蒙，以致形成病變。所謂〝病由心生〞就是這個道理。
Somatization can be seen as a more primitive form of emotional response. Since each person has different ways and habits of expressing emotions, the physical symptoms that result can vary. For example:
• Some people feel nauseated when they see dirty garbage
• A child facing an important exam may become anxious
• A person discovering their partner’s infidelity may feel devastated with heartbreak
• Failing a test may lead to speechless depression
Regardless of the situation—good or bad—when negative emotions accumulate over time, the body may begin to secrete hormones that disrupt the internal balance and damage health, eventually leading to physical illness. This is the underlying principle of the saying:
“Illness arises from the mind.”